Meryl Streep and Robert De Niro move into "The Good House"

The Oscar-winning legends are set to star opposite each other on the big screen for a fourth time after accepting the lead roles in an adaptation of Ann Leary's darkly comical novel of the same name.

Streep will star as alcoholic real estate agent Hildy Good while De Niro will play her old flame, Frank Getchell, with whom she rekindles her romance.

Hildy's life begins to fall apart after she befriends a no-nonsense New Yorker named Rebecca McCallister - the subject of much gossip in their town - who attempts to help her untangle her complicated love life.

Producer Jane Rosenthal said: ''Ann Leary has an intoxicating voice and created a truly original character in Hildy Good. When I read the book, I was only sorry it ended - but so thrilled that we'll be able to bring it to the screen with Meryl Streep as the irresistible Hildy.''